Door latch



Oct. 26 1926. 1,604,540

G. M. TAGGART, JR

DOOR LATCH Filed Jan. 18, 1926 INVENTOR Gewye M Trz qym'f BY QM m ATTORNEY was 0a. 26, 1926;.

UNITED PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. TAGGART; Jn.,'or SEATTLE, wasnmcron, ASSIGNOR T0 s. w. rnoeaar,

or SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

noon. LATCH.

Application filed January 18,- 1926. Serial No. 81,892.

My invention relates to improvements in door latches and the object of my invention is to provide a door latch having a bolt that is beveled in conformity with a beveled strike plate or keeper against which it is held in an unextended position by a spring that automatically causes any play that arises therein to be taken up and ensures a close fitting rattle proof door at all times said beveled bolt being provided with a straight shoulder that will cooperate with a straight shoulder that is disposed in said strike plate to prevent the door from being thrown open by any sudden jar or shock. My door latch is particularly adapted for use on the doors of motor vehicles although it may be used on any door wherein it is desired to eliminate looseness and rattling.

I accomplish these objects by devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

wherein- Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a door latch constructed in accordance with my invention showing the bolt in the outward but not fully extended position in full lines, and showing in dotted lines the bolt in the maximum retracted position.

Fig. 2 is a view in horizontal section taken onbroken line 2, 2 of Fig. 1, showing the bolit in resilient engagement with the keeper;

Fig. 3 is a somewhat diagrammatic'fragmentary view showing the shoulder on the pelt in engagement with theshoulder on the ee er.

R eferring to the drawings, throughout which like reference numerals indicate like parts, the numeral 5 indicates a frame plate having a forward flange 6 that is provided with a shield 7 and an opening 8"that together serve as guides for the outer endportion of the bolt 9; Guides 10 are also rovided for the inner end portion of said A lever handle 11 pivoted to the plate 5 at 12 operates in a slot 13 in the bolt 9 and is used for drawing said bolt backward to the retracted position shown in dotted lines in,

Fig. 1. The bolt 9 is drawn backward in opposition to thetenjsion, exerted by a spiral spring 14 whose outer end engages a shoulder 15 thereon to normally hold said bolt in an outwardly projecting position. A cover plate 16, provided with suitable stops, may be used for guiding and limiting the movement of the bolt. A stop 17 is provided to llmit the outward swing of the lever handle.

My mvention resides in the form and cooperative relation of the bolt and strike plate or keeper 18.- The bolt 9 is provided with the usual rounded portion 19 arranged to ride over a correspondingly rounded portion 20 and snap into an aperture 21 with which said keeper is provided. The bolt is provided with a beveled ortion 22 that engages a correspondingly eveled wall 23 on said keeper subject to the tension of the spring 14.

In the locked position as shown in Fig. 2 it will be understood that the bolt 9 is never in a fully extended position and that ample space is provided in the aperture 21 for further entry of said bolt to take up any space caused by wear, vibration or the like. It willthus be seen that the spring 14 will impel said bolt forward with its beveled portion 22 wedging outwardly against the beveled wall 23 ofthe keeper and holding the door 24 securely latched against any ordinary strain or vibration. I

In order to forestall the effects of any excessive shock or violent strain that might der 25 and the inner end of the keeper 18 with a correspondingly straight shoulder 26. As said shoulders are practically at right angles to the swing of the door they will obviously come into engagement when the door is forced outwardly and thus prevent the door from entirely opening and endangering the passengers within the vehicle.

While I have described my door latch with some particularityit will be, understood that I intend no limitations except in so far as may be imposed by the appended claim and that such changes may be resorted to as are Within the scope and spirit of the invention. What I claim is:

"In combination with a vehicle door, a door a beveled portion and a shoulder for engagelatoh comprising a spring impelled bolt one ment with said first named beveled portion end of which is provided with a beveled porand shoulder. 10

tion and :1 sho der extending beyond said In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe 5 beveled portion which shoulder lies in a vermy name this 12th day of January, A. D.

tical plane parallel to the plane of said door, 1926.

and a keeper correspondingly provided with GEORGE M. TAGGART, J R. 

